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[hr][sup][color=851f1f][b]851f1f[/b][/color][color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] [b][url=https://imgur.com/kvBiRZs]Outfit[/url][/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] [b] party [/b][/sup][/center][hr]

Sloane mentioned that she’d also reject Olympus as a permanent residence. It was likely just chit-chat and helping to make conversation but it gave him comfort and relief as if she’d otherwise turn and call him an idiot. She did suggest they both might be dumb but her points were completely and humbly human. Duke smiled appreciating her candor and easiness. [color=851f1f] “Exactly.”[/color]

However, it wasn’t long lasting as the conversation rolled on to goodbyes and Alex. [color=#c7b29b]"But didn’t she [i]like[/i] you?"[/color]

Duke cleared his throat unsure how to tackle her query. Apparently Alex’s crush had become public news, not that she was ever subtle or shy about it but still he could hope it swept under the radar. Duke always looked at it as a more naive doe-eyed school girl crush. She wasn’t always hooked on him, she shot her shot in other directions. He managed to croak the beginning of a reply.

[color=#c7b29b]"Sorry, that’s none of my business,"[/color] Sloane added.

So far they had been honest and open with each other and pried on the borders of hard topics and he didn’t want to shut her down. [color=851f1f] “No, it’s okay. Alex is – [i]was[/i] a fairly selfish and impulsive person. So while she may have liked me”[/color] he couldn’t bring himself to outright say she did even when it was painfully obvious. [color=851f1f] “Her needs and wants are gonna come first. And you know to a degree we all do it and owe a little something to ourselves.”[/color] He gave a small shrug.  Alex chose what she thought was best or easiest or whatever for her. The Valises’ great ideas to become proteges was their business. Naïve and questionable but their own right.

[color=#c7b29b]"I don’t know if I’m the most reliable source for what women find attractive,"[/color] Sloane said, making Duke crack another easy smile. Why wouldn’t she? She was just as much a woman as any of the others. [color=#c7b29b]"I suppose scars are kind of like tattoos. They tell a story, which makes them interesting."[/color] She leaned forward giving his small cut a look over. [color=#c7b29b]"I think it suits you."[/color]

Duke glanced away avoiding her eyes for a moment to compose himself from a compliment or wait for the punchline. Eventually his eyes rested back on her and he gave a small nod as thanks. It didn’t seem entirely appropriate to respond  with how he thought she looked nice. Not so randomly and this deep into a good conversation anyway. He diverted to light teasing about her liking a rougher type and scarred. 

[color=#c7b29b]“I guess it’d seem that way, wouldn’t it?"[/color] she replied. Duke’s opened his palms in small surrender. He didn’t know her history aside from Liam and even if she did fall into a type, he didn’t mean to make fun of her. [color=#c7b29b]"In my defense, they seek me out… And I fall for their nice [i]acts[/i]. I guess I’m gullible."[/color]

Before he could think better of it, Duke placed a hand sympathetically on her shoulder – which was petite under his hand but he meant it comfortingly. Some people made mistakes and others played a game too well. He let his hand fall in his lap. [color=851f1f] “You’ve got a good heart, that’s all. They’ll start weighing things out in time.”[/color] A finger drifted  in the air between her forehead and chest.

Hardly a love coach or an inspiring talker, they returned to more comfortable topic where Sloane showed and told her scar that was infinitely more obvious and intense than his. [color=#c7b29b]"Yeah, but yours adds to the whole [i]rugged[/i] thing,"[/color] she said with a vague gesture to him. [color=#c7b29b]"Mine is like those dumb female protagonists in werewolf books who are always like ‘No, he would never hurt me.’ Then this happens." [/color]

Duke’s brows furrowed in confusion then cocked his head unsure where she was going very elaborately and a smile wavered at his lips suppressing a laugh.

[color=#c7b29b]"You probably have no idea what I’m talking about."[/color]

Duke chuckled and shook his head. [color=851f1f] “Not at all,”[/color] he admitted, usually afraid to be perceived as dumb and not ‘in the know’. [color=851f1f] “You’ve got a werewolf claw scar?”[/color]  he guessed, amused. [color=851f1f] “Don’t worry, it makes you look pretty tough. Enduring.”[/color] He smiled. While he wasn’t sure Sloane enjoyed having scars they were there for now and they were her own proof of perseverance. 

[color=#c7b29b]"This may come as a shock, but I hate parties,"[/color] she confessed. [color=#c7b29b]"I planned on just staying in for the night but I was coerced into coming. And then I got burnt for it. I’m obviously a terrible judge of character,"[/color] she laughed. [color=#c7b29b]"If you see anyone enjoying my company, avoid them like the plague. They’re bad news."[/color]

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Not just at her unfortunate streak with people in camp. He wasn’t sure he could do much about that but that last bit. [color=851f1f] “I sort of like your company,”[/color] he admitted. 

Still, she didn’t run off or retreat in any way. She stood there scanning the activities. [color=#c7b29b]"I used to figure skate as a child…"[/color] Duke’s brows rose waiting for the final decision, sooner expecting her to rest on ice skating. That’s generally how it went. Someone hadn’t done something in such a long time, it was good and freeing to reunite with an old hobby. [color=#c7b29b]"But considering the party is nearly over."[/color] Duke’s brows dropped.

[color=#c7b29b]"If you need to go do [i]saving[/i],"[/color] she continued before he could pick up why they or she couldn’t ice skate. Duke followed her nod towards Fiona then looked back at her. [color=#c7b29b]"You’ve already saved me from social embarrassment. It’d be rude of me to hog your services."[/color]

Duke looked back at the trio of Nelly, Fiona and the new man that made the move towards some more company. He waved a hand dismissively, nearly scoffing. [color=851f1f]“She can handle herself.”[/color] If Fiona had enough she’d stumble away or make it known in some fashion or another. [color=851f1f] “But you,”[/color] Duke looked Sloane over and smiled. [color=851f1f] “Can I ask who you’re hiding from?”[/color] It felt like he was pushing his luck and he didn’t mean it intrudingly but by her own telling, people who liked her and likely coerced her out was worth concern.

Duke sighed out simply because it had been a long day and he wasn’t about to let that elephant sit between them. He glanced at the clock. [color=851f1f]“If you’ve had enough I’ll walk you to your cabin. Or we could just walk?”[/color] Immediately, he heard how that might’ve sounded and raised his hands. There was no ulterior motive or doubting Sloane’s abilities to look after herself. [color=851f1f] “I’m sure you can walk yourself. Especially next to a few other people,”[/color] he admitted with a quick glance around, trying not to linger on the people who struggled to stand upright. [color=851f1f] “I just wanna get away before the midnight festivities.”[/color] Public displays of affection were durable but not preferred. Besides, a nice stroll couldn’t do any harm. 

He took her pace and lead. He was comfortable with conversation or silence. As he learned quickly it was one of the benefits of Sloane’s company. 

His gaze slipped to the dog at Sloane’s heels. [color=851f1f]“You know how big he’s gonna get? If you need a bed or doggy door for him I’m happy to help.”[/color] It wasn’t the most architectural or blacksmithy thing but if it could help her and an innocent animal...

Fireworks took off into the air giving Duke pause to watch the red and gold light show. His eyes fell back on Sloane with a content smile. Sometimes camp could be beautiful. Rarely, admittedly but it was important to soak in the good moments. Duke looked at Rocco again and crouched to show the back of his hand and gain a sniff of approval. When he earned an ok, he scooped the puppy up, directing his wet nose at Sloane. [color=851f1f]"Only guy you need to spend the new year with."[/color] 

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Sloane [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Fiona, Nelly, Morne [/color]
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